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Through this nightmare we have discovered that Diego Gonzalez 13, is musically gifted, has a photographic memory, and is the ninth child in Las Vegas, NV to be diagnosed with P.A.N.D.A.S.

 

P.A.N.D.A.S:

(Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) is a rare pediatric auto immune illness associated with strep. It's cause is similar to Rheumatic Fever.

 

Onset:

The symptoms that are typical of this are tics and/or OCD (which may appear as extreme anxiety) and at least two of the following which Diego has experienced all: sensory sensitivity, separation anxiety, sleep difficulties, personality changes, irritability and aggression, lack of concentration or ADD symptoms, difficulty in learning especially with math and writing. Baby talk and immature behaviors, stuttering, and oppositional defiance.  Onsets are either clearly debilitating and they become near comatose and homebound. Or other children can function at school and then fall apart at home for hours on end. But it is very obvious that the normal functioning child is gone.

 

Cause:

PANDAS is caused by a strep infection and whether treated or untreated, strep remained in the body and after some time the strep antibodies that we produce begin to attack the brain (basal ganglia).  Rheumatic Fever is a close-cousin to PANDAS.

 

Testing:

There are several tests that doctors can use. Measuring strep levels in Diego is how he was finally diagnosed with PANDAS. He had four times the max a healthy child should have and all the symptoms.

 

Treatment:

How to completely cure PANDAS is still being debated, but many doctors and parents report prolonged antibiotics (two months to two years) and/or IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) treatments on severe cases. We have been told by his doctors that Diego needs antibiotics and IVIG for further treatment.

 

Help:

We are asking for donations and help to get Diego’s IVIG treatments and to find a Doctor that specializes in PANDAS. He might need more than just one IVIG treatment and he will need long term care with a PANDAS specialist to fully recover. There are only ten PANDAS specialists in the US listed with the PANDAS network. None are located in Nevada. Insurance is not covering any of the costs for the IVIG treatments or visits to Specialists.

 

Diego's fight

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